Advent Prayer: 1st Wednesday 02 Dec 2020 – Psalm 79; Micah 5:1-5a; Luke 21:34-38 ~ Stay awake; the King is coming!

Advent Prayer: 1st Wednesday 02 Dec 2020

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening:

Rend the heavens and come down, O God of all the ages! Rouse us from sleep, deliver us from our heedless ways, and form us into a watchful people, that, at the advent of your Son, he may find us doing what is right, mindful of all you command. Grant this through him whose coming is certain, whose day draws near: your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

“Stay awake at all times,
praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place,
and to stand before the Son of Man.”
(Luke 12:36)

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Psalm 79 (Your Land, O God, The Nations Have Invaded) – Jamie Soles

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Old Testament Reading: Micah 5:1-5a (ESV)

The Ruler to Be Born in Bethlehem

5 Now muster your troops, O daughter of troops;
siege is laid against us;
with a rod they strike the judge of Israel
on the cheek.
2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old,
from ancient days.
3 Therefore he shall give them up until the time
when she who is in labor has given birth;
then the rest of his brothers shall return
to the people of Israel.
4 And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great
to the ends of the earth.
5 And he shall be their peace.

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O Little Town of Bethlehem – Rachael Lampa, Tommee Profitt

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New Testament Reading: Luke 21:34-38 (ESV)

Watch Yourselves

34 “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

37 And every day he was teaching in the temple, but at night he went out and lodged on the mount called Olivet. 38 And early in the morning all the people came to him in the temple to hear him.

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The King, Pt. One – Sarah Sparks

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Prayer:

+ For Watchfulness:

Heavenly Father: you alone know when King Jesus will return. Grant that the cry, “The King is coming!” may continually resound in our ears, so that we may never be unprepared to meet him (or forgetful of the souls for whom he died) for whom we watch and pray. And save us, O Lord. Amen.

+ For the Coming Kingdom:

Hasten, O Father, the coming of your kingdom; and grant that we your servants, who now live by faith, may with joy behold your Son at his coming in glorious majesty; even Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.

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Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you.
May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm.
May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you.
May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Advent Prayer: 1st Tuesday 01 Dec 2020 – Psalm 79; Micah 4:6-13; Revelation 18:1-10 ~ Come out from Babylon!

Advent Prayer: 1st Tuesday 01 Dec 2020

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening:

“Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great!
She has become a dwelling place for demons,
a haunt for every unclean spirit….”
“Come out of her, my people,
lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues;
for her sins are heaped high as heaven,
and God has remembered her iniquities.”

(Revelation 18:2,4-5)

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Collect:

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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(Psalm 79/80) – Lord Make Us Turn To You – Gen Bryant

Lord, make us turn to you, let us see your face and we shall be saved. (Psalm 79/80)

(R.) Lord, make us turn to you, let us see your face and we shall be saved.

1. O shepherd of Israel, hear us,
shine forth from your cherubim throne.
O Lord, rouse up your might,
O Lord, come to our help. (R.)

2. God of hosts, turn again, we implore,
look down from heaven and see.
Visit this vine and protect it,
the vine your right hand has planted. (R.)

3. May your hand be on the man you have chosen,
the man you have given your strength.
And we shall never forsake you again:
give us life that we may call upon your name. (R.)

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Old Testament Reading: Micah 4:6-13 (ESV)

The Lord Shall Rescue Zion
6 In that day, declares the Lord,
I will assemble the lame
and gather those who have been driven away
and those whom I have afflicted;
7 and the lame I will make the remnant,
and those who were cast off, a strong nation;
and the Lord will reign over them in Mount Zion
from this time forth and forevermore.

8 And you, O tower of the flock,
hill of the daughter of Zion,
to you shall it come,
the former dominion shall come,
kingship for the daughter of Jerusalem.

9 Now why do you cry aloud?
Is there no king in you?
Has your counselor perished,
that pain seized you like a woman in labor?
10 Writhe and groan, O daughter of Zion,
like a woman in labor,
for now you shall go out from the city
and dwell in the open country;
you shall go to Babylon.
There you shall be rescued;
there the Lord will redeem you
from the hand of your enemies.

11 Now many nations
are assembled against you,
saying, “Let her be defiled,
and let our eyes gaze upon Zion.”
12 But they do not know
the thoughts of the Lord;
they do not understand his plan,
that he has gathered them as sheaves to the threshing floor.
13 Arise and thresh,
O daughter of Zion,
for I will make your horn iron,
and I will make your hoofs bronze;
you shall beat in pieces many peoples;
and shall devote their gain to the Lord,
their wealth to the Lord of the whole earth.

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Stepping Out Of Babylon – Etana

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New Testament Reading: Revelation 18:1-10 (ESV)

The Fall of Babylon

18 After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was made bright with his glory. 2 And he called out with a mighty voice,

“Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great!
She has become a dwelling place for demons,
a haunt for every unclean spirit,
a haunt for every unclean bird,
a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast.
3 For all nations have drunk
the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality,
and the kings of the earth have committed immorality with her,
and the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living.”

4 Then I heard another voice from heaven saying,

“Come out of her, my people,
lest you take part in her sins,
lest you share in her plagues;
5 for her sins are heaped high as heaven,
and God has remembered her iniquities.
6 Pay her back as she herself has paid back others,
and repay her double for her deeds;
mix a double portion for her in the cup she mixed.
7 As she glorified herself and lived in luxury,
so give her a like measure of torment and mourning,
since in her heart she says,
‘I sit as a queen,
I am no widow,
and mourning I shall never see.’
8 For this reason her plagues will come in a single day,
death and mourning and famine,
and she will be burned up with fire;
for mighty is the Lord God who has judged her.”

9 And the kings of the earth, who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her, will weep and wail over her when they see the smoke of her burning. 10 They will stand far off, in fear of her torment, and say,

“Alas! Alas! You great city,
you mighty city, Babylon!
For in a single hour your judgment has come.”

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O Come, All You Unfaithful – Sovereign Grace

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Prayer:

+ For Mercy:

Almighty God, you have not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities; grant that we, who for our evil deeds deserve to be punished, by the might of your grace may mercifully be relieved; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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Blessing

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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Advent Prayer: 1st Monday 30 Nov 2020 – Psalm 79; Micah 4:1-5; Revelation 15:1-8 ~ How Long, O Lord?

Advent Prayer: 1st Monday 30 Nov 2020

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening:

“Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty!
Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations!
Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

(Revelation 15:3-4)

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Sons of Korah – Psalm 79 (How Long?)

O, God the nations have / Invaded Your inheritance
Defiled Your holy temple / Destroyed Your city
As food to wild animals / They were given over
They poured out blood like water / Around Jerusalem

How long? / How long?

How long? (How long, how long, O Lord)
How long? (How long, how long, O Lord)

We are objects of contempt / To our neighbors
A scorn and derision / To those around us
Pour upon the enemy / Who will not acknowledge You
Your anger on the kingdom / For they devoured us

How long? (How long, how long, O Lord)
How long? (How long, how long, O Lord)

Do not hold against us / The sins of the fathers
May Your mercy quickly come / For we are in need
Help us God our Savior / For the glory of Your name
Deliver and forgive us / For Your name’s sake
Why should the nations say / ’Where is their God today?’
Before our eyes, make known to them / That You avenge us

How long, O, Lord / Will you be angry?
How long, Lord / Will Your jealousy burn?

The groans of the prisoners / May they come before You
By the strength of Your arm / Preserve those condemned to die
Pay back our enemies / They’re taunting toward You lord
And lead Your flock, who praise You / For every
Every generation

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Old Testament Reading: Micah 4:1-5 (ESV)

The Mountain of the Lord

4 It shall come to pass in the latter days
that the mountain of the house of the Lord
shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
and it shall be lifted up above the hills;
and peoples shall flow to it,
2 and many nations shall come, and say:
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to the house of the God of Jacob,
that he may teach us his ways
and that we may walk in his paths.”
For out of Zion shall go forth the law,
and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
3 He shall judge between many peoples,
and shall decide disputes for strong nations far away;
and they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war anymore;
4 but they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree,
and no one shall make them afraid,
for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken.
5 For all the peoples walk
each in the name of its god,
but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God
forever and ever.

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Come Let Us Go to the Mountain of the Lord Micah 4 – Songs for the Masses

New Testament Reading: Revelation 15:1-8 (ESV)

The Seven Angels with Seven Plagues

15 Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and amazing, seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished.

2 And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire—and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. 3 And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,

“Great and amazing are your deeds,
O Lord God the Almighty!
Just and true are your ways,
O King of the nations!
4 Who will not fear, O Lord,
and glorify your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come
and worship you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

5 After this I looked, and the sanctuary of the tent of witness in heaven was opened, and out of the sanctuary came the seven angels with the seven plagues, clothed in pure, bright linen, with golden sashes around their chests. And one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever, and the sanctuary was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished.

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“The Song of Mosheh and The Song of The Lamb” – The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra

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Prayer:

Christ, as a light – illumine and guide me.
Christ, as a shield – overshadow me.
Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me on my left and my right.
This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me.
This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Blessing

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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Morning Prayer: Saturday 28 Nov 2020 – Psalms (145) and Proverbs (28) Give thanks: God’s Kingdom is glorious!

Morning Prayer: Saturday, 28 Nov 2020

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening:

Stir up, O Lord, the wills of your faithful people, that bringing forth in abundance the fruit of good works, they may be abundantly rewarded when our Savior Jesus Christ comes to restore all things; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“All your works praise you, O LORD,
and your faithful servants give thanks to you.
They speak of the glory of your kingdom
and talk of your power,
That your power may be known to the children of men
even the glorious splendor of your kingdom.”

(Psalm 145:10-12)

Preparation:

Holy Spirit, breath of God and fire of love, I cannot pray without your aid: Kindle in me the fire of your love, and illumine me with your light; that with a steadfast will and holy thoughts I may approach the Father in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who reigns with you and the Father in eternal union. Amen.

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“Psalm 145” (Amen) – Jon Buller

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The New Cloverdale Psalter (2019 Update of 1535 Original)

“Psalm 145”

I will magnify you, O God my King, *
and I will praise your Name for ever and ever.
2 Every day will I give thanks to you, *
and praise your Name for ever and ever.
3 Great is the LORD, and most worthy to be praised; *
there is no end of his greatness.

4 One generation shall praise your works to another, *
and shall declare your power.
5 As for me, I will be talking of the glorious splendor of your majesty, *
and of all your wondrous works.
6 They shall speak of the might of your marvelous acts, *
and I also will tell of your greatness.
7 The remembrance of your abundant goodness shall they proclaim, *
and they shall sing of your righteousness.

8 The LORD is gracious and merciful, *
long-suffering, and of great kindness.
9 The LORD is loving to everyone, *
and his mercy is over all his works.
10 All your works praise you, O LORD, *
and your faithful servants give thanks to you.
11 They speak of the glory of your kingdom *
and talk of your power,
12 That your power may be known to the children of men, *
even the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, *
and your dominion endures throughout all ages.
14 The LORD upholds all those who fall *
and lifts up all those who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all wait upon you, O LORD, *
and you give them their food in due season.
16 You open wide your hand, *
and fill all things living with plenteousness.

17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways *
and merciful in all his works.
18 The LORD is near to all those who call upon him, *
to all who call upon him faithfully.
19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear him; *
he also will hear their cry and will help them.
20 The LORD preserves all those who love him, *
but he will destroy all the ungodly.

21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD; *
and let all flesh give thanks unto his holy Name for ever and ever.

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Proverbs 28 (NLT) –

2 When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily.
But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability.

12 When the godly succeed, everyone is glad.
When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding….

28 When the wicked meet disaster, the godly flourish.

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Consider:

(Psalm 145:10-12)

The Kingdom of God is glorious

Those who bless God from their hearts rejoice to see him enthroned, glorified, and magnified in power.

Time, eternity, and all space are filled with the glories of God.

His works praise him, but they cannot crown him: this remains for holy hands and hearts.

It is their high pleasure to tell of the glory of his kingdom in its justice, kindness, eternity, and so forth.

The Kingdom of God is powerful

All power comes from God.

Apart from him the laws of nature would be inoperative.

His power is the one source of force—mechanical, vital, mental, spiritual.

Beyond the power of God which has been displayed, infinite force lies latent in God himself.

The Kingdom of God is everlasting

The Lord’s kingdom is without beginning, without break, without bound, and without end.

He never abdicates his throne, neither does he call in a second to share his empire.

None can overthrow his power, or break away from his rule.

Neither this age, nor the age to come, nor ages of ages shall cause his sovereignty to fail.

Men come and go like shadows on the wall, but God reigns forever.

__ Spurgeon

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Prayer:

Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.

Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.

For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

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“Psalm 145” (I Will Praise Your Name) – WorshipNOW Modern Psalms

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Blessing

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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Morning Prayer: Friday 27 Nov 2020 – Psalms (139) and Proverbs (27) Give thanks: God made you!

Morning Prayer: Friday, 27 Nov 2020

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening:

“You yourself made my inmost parts;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
marvelous are your works, and my soul knows it very well….
and in your book were all my members written,
Which day by day were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.”

(Psalm 139:12-13, 15-16)

Preparation:

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“Psalm 139” (Far Too Wonderful) –

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The New Cloverdale Psalter (2019 Update of 1535 Original)

“Psalm 139”

1 O LORD, you have searched me out and known me; *
you know my sitting down and my rising up; you understand my thoughts from afar.
2 You examine my path and my places of rest, *
and are acquainted with all my ways.
3 Indeed, there is not a word on my tongue, *
but you, O LORD, know it altogether.
4 You have enclosed me behind and before, *
and have laid your hand upon me.
5 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, *
so excellent I cannot attain to it.

6 Where shall I go then from your Spirit, *
or where shall I flee from your presence?
7 If I climb up to heaven, you are there; *
if I make my bed in the Grave, you are there also.
8 If I take the wings of the morning *
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
9 Even there shall your hand lead me, *
and your right hand shall hold me.
10 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,” *
then shall my night be turned to day.
11 Even the darkness is not dark to you, and the night is as clear as the day; *
the darkness and the light to you are both alike.

12 For you yourself made my inmost parts; *
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
13 I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; *
marvelous are your works, and my soul knows it very well.
14 My bones were not hidden from you *
when I was made in secret and fashioned in the depths of the earth.
15 Your eyes beheld my substance, while I was yet unformed; *
and in your book were all my members written,
16 Which day by day were fashioned, *
when as yet there was none of them.

17 How dear to me are your thoughts, O God. *
How great is the sum of them!
18 If I were to count them, they would be more in number than the sand. *
When I wake up, I am present with you.
19 Oh, that you would slay the wicked, O God! *
Depart from me, you bloodthirsty men.
20 For they speak unrighteously against you; *
your enemies take your Name in vain.
21 Do I not hate those, O LORD, who hate you, *
and do I not loathe those who rise up against you?
22 Indeed, I hate them with a perfect hatred; *
they have become my own enemies.

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; *
try me and examine my thoughts.
24 Look well if there be any way of wickedness in me, *
and lead me in the way everlasting.

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Proverbs 27 (NLT) – more proverbs of Solomon

1 Don’t brag about tomorrow,
since you don’t know what the day will bring.

19 As a face is reflected in water,
so the heart reflects the real person.

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Consider:

(Psalm 139:12-13, 15-16)

God made you

God has put all your parts together… God formed your members, and united them in a bodily frame and form before you were born—he must be able to understand all your thoughts and feelings. As you were not concealed from God before you saw the light, so you can not be hidden from God anywhere.

Whatever you are naturally or supernaturally, is a work of God.

Whatever others are, for better or worse, God still made them.

No matter your deficiencies , God knows you and loves you.

—Albert Barnes.

God planned you

Your life, from the beginning to the end, is in God’s good, gracious, and merciful hand.

That God knows all about you and still loves you, is cause for joy and comfort.

God search our hearts

What a mercy that there is one being who can know us to perfection! He is intimately at home with us. He is graciously inclined towards us, and is willing to bend his omniscience to serve the end of our sanctification…. By your providence, by your word, by your grace, and by your Spirit, lead me evermore.

__ Spurgeon

Think and be careful what thou art within,
For there is sin in the desire of sin:
Think and be thankful, in a different case,
For there is grace in the desire of grace.

—John Byron, 1691-1763.

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Prayer:

The birth, and/or adoption, of a child is a joyous and solemn occasion in the life of a family. Our heavenly Father has given us the Spirit of adoption, that we who were strangers might become members of the household of God. It has pleased Almighty God, our heavenly Father, to bless families with the gift of children.

+ Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ Watch over your children, O Lord, as their days increase; bless them and guide them, and keep them unspotted from the world. Strengthen them when they stand; comfort them when discouraged or sorrowful; raise them up if they fall; and in their hearts may your peace which passes understanding abide all the days of their life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ Lord Jesus, be mindful of your promise. Think of us, your children, and when we shall depart, speak to our spirits these loving words: “Today you shall be with me in joy.” O Lord Jesus Christ, remember us, your children who trust in you, when our tongues cannot speak, when the sight of our eyes fails, and when our ears are stopped. Let our spirits always rejoice in you and be joyful about our salvation, which you, through your death, have purchased for us. Amen.

+ Hasten, O Father, the coming of your kingdom; and grant that we your children, who now live by faith, may with joy behold your Son at his coming in glorious majesty; even Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.

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Psalm 139 – FREEDOM CHURCH

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Blessing

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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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